How do you create a transparent photo frame?

[Olle]

I'm sure this is very simple, but I'm almost a total novice and I can't figure it out...

I just downloaded the trial version of PSP 2023, and I want to create a transparent "window" in a picture so I can use it as a photo frame. It's a jpeg right now, so I saved it as a .png and filled the area I want transparent with solid red. Then I went to image/palette/set palette transparency and clicked on "ok" to convert to 256 colors. I used the dropper to click on the red color in the picture, and then I clicked "proof". So far, so good: The image now showed the raster pattern that indicates transparency.

The problem is that the transparency disappeared when I clicked "ok", it just went back to the solid red color. In older versions there was a "view transparency" in the color menu, but I can't find it in PSP 2023. Also, when I tried to paste this frame on top of another picture (also a .png), it was still red and not transparent.

There were no error messages or anything like that, but (quite obviously) I must have done something wrong. I'm sure I'm missing something simple, like a setting, preference or whatnot, I just can't figure out what it could be. I'm about to tear my hair out, so any help will be greatly appreciated!

[LeviFiction]

Well first the View Transparency is now under Image->Palette

But the easiest way to use transparency is probably to just promote the layer and use a selection to clear an area.

1) On the layers palette right-click the background layer and select "Promote Background Layer" It now supports transparency
2) Grab a selection of the area you want to make transparent
3) Hit the delete key

You could also replace the last two steps with just using the eraser tool.

From there you can copy and paste onto a new image. You can save it as a PNG (I recommend using the PNG Optimizer the first time to ensure it saves an Alpha Channel) or export it as a Picture Frame for use with the Picture Frame tool. Though, I should note that the Picture Frame tool requires a minimum of 24-bit RGB and not an indexed 256-color paletted image. Also, I don't know if the newer versions of PSP let you use layers with a paletted image. So I suspect pasting as a new layer automatically increased the image to a full 32-bit RGB image with alpha transparency. Removing the ability to use the View Transparency option.

[Olle]

Aha... I was looking at "View/Palette" and under the "Palette" menu, but there's obviously a third place where you can handle palettes Got it fixed now, seems like the problem was that you have to make the transparency show before you start shuffling images.

Thanks, I really appreciate it!